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With SUV sales growing stronger and stronger each year, not only are most car manufacturers aiming for a section of the pie, but are also interested in exploring the luxury side of the equation. For Infiniti, entering the luxury SUV market has even proved to be their best move, its QX4 has been this brand's best performer for the last 4 years of QX4's existence.
By all accounts, luxury SUV market will continue to expand at a rapid pace, but meantime, competition will just equally be as fierce. In order to strengthen QX4's position in the market, Infiniti has made a lot of changes to the 2001 model year QX4, starting with a major revamp in the engine compartment.
Actually,
Infiniti has given the new QX4 a totally different engine, the former 3.3L SOHC
V6 has now been supplanted by an all new 3.5L DOHC V6, internally coded as
VQ35DE. You might have guessed the familial similarities of this engine to
Infiniti I30's V6, which in fact it is, but apart from increasing VQ30DE's
displacement to 3.5 litres, there are also a number of other improvements.
Compared to I30, QX4's engine now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control for enhancing horsepower, a new thermostat and an expanded water jacket for improving thermal efficiency has also been added. This engine now delivers 240 horses at 6000 rpm, but even more impressive is that torque output at a lowly 3200 rpm is a strong 265 lb-ft.
Apart from those equipped with V8 engines, one would be hard pressed to find a competitor that could even come close to these figures. In comparison, horsepower and torque figures for Mercedes-Benz ML320 and Toyota 4Runner are only 215/ 233 and 183/ 217 respectively. Compared to the old, the new QX4 excels in all aspects of performance, according to Infiniti, 0 to 60 mph can now be accomplished in 9.1 seconds, 2.1 second faster than before, and let's not forget that this is a fair size SUV, anything south of 10 seconds is quite remarkable.
Having a muscular engine is of course very desirable, but NVH or rather the lack of it, is equally important for buyers in this market. There are now none of the harshness or loudness of the old, in fact, the faster it travels, the better it breathes, this is probably the inherent magic of all twin cam engines.
Automatic transmission has also been newly redesigned, offering smoother and quieter shifts than before. Suspension has remained largely intact with struts up front and 5-Link axle in the rear. Infiniti's 4WD system is called All-Mode 4WD, in terms of technology, this is one of the most sophisticated computerized system in the market and quite similar to the 4WD system used in Nissan Skyline GT-R.
A rotary switch on the dash provides the driver
with several selectable modes: 2WD, AUTO, 4HI & 4LO. 
2WD
is two-wheel drive, with rear wheels getting all the power. But at any time, one
can always switch to AUTO, letting the computer decide the proportion of torque
to be delivered each wheel.
In normal situations, most of the power will stay on the rear wheels, but whenever front wheel slippage is detected, up to 50% of power will immediately be transferred to the front, the whole process being barely noticeable by the car's occupants. Off-road afficiondos might also like to know that it also comes with low range 4WD, which will come in handy in tackling the most difficult off-road situations, especially going down steep slopes when braking is best achieved by matching engine and gears.
In external appearance, there are a few subtle changes, with the new QX4 gaining a larger and more protruded cross bar on the grille. Headlights are now better integrated and uses HID ( High Intensity Discharge ) instead of halogen. Body-side claddings are chiseled instead of ribbed. Rear appearance has also been made sharper with new rear lights, license plate surround and more luxurious looking rear bumper.
Inside,
more luxury abounds, with the centre console being most extensively redecorated.
A very elegant analog clock, now the hallmark of Infiniti, is successful in
adding a dose of classiness to the interior. In fact, there's a similar ambience
to Infiniti's Q45. Seats are comfy and front ones have Active Head Restraints,
designed to prevent whiplash in the event of a bump from behind. The half
leather half woodtone steering wheel is also a treat to the eyes and mounted
atop are new remote controls for the audio, speaking of which, it also features
a new 6 disc in-dash CD, effectively making a CD changer very outdated indeed.
Other worth mentioning upgrades include memory driver's seat, heated rear seats and 17" alloy wheels. Although price of this 2001 model year QX4 has been increased from $45500 to $48000, it is still one of the most appealing and well-rounded package one can find in this entry-level luxury SUV market.
Specifications
Price: $48000
Wheelbase/ Length/ Width/ Height: 2700 / 4536/ 1745/ 1689 mm
Engine: 3.5L, DOHC, V6
Horsepower: 240 hp / 6000 rpm
Torque: 265 lb-ft / 3200 rpm
Transmission: 4 speed auto
Suspension: Front McPherson Struts, Rear Axle 5-Link
Brakes: Front Vented Disc, Rear Solid Disc, ABS
Tires: 245/65R17
© Sammy Chan & Edwin
Lau
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